Effect of Para Grass and Mimosa Pigra Utilization with Basal Diets of Brewer's Grain and Rice Bran on Growth Performance of Goats under Semi-free Grazing System

In Cambodia, farmers raise goats in a small scale, and they grow them in the traditional way under free ranging system during the day time and confinement at the night time. Due to the ease growing of para grass, natural growth of mimosa pigra and easily founded around the lakes, rivers, streams, and canals, these grasses are potential plants with high protein for raising goats. The three objectives of this study are to compare: (a) the feed intake of goats; (b) the growth performance of goats; and (c) the feed conversion ratio of goats. As the research methods, this experiment was carried out at Research Station of Svay Rieng University by using RCBD with 4 treatments and 3 replications. All treatments utilized the different levels of para grass and mimosa pigra with basal diets of brewer’s grain and rice  bran on the growth performance of goats under a semi- free grazing system. Results showed that the highest DM  intake of goats from 0–60 days is T4=684 g/day, the highest growth performance of goats from 0–60 days is T2=110 g/day, and the best feed conversion ratio of goats from 0–60 days is T2=5.89 if compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the utilization of 85% para grass combined with 15% mimosa pigra are actually increased the feed intake of goats, increased live weight gain of goats, and well improved feed conversion ratio of goats under the semi-free grazing system.

Keywords:- Para Grass, Mimosa Pigra, Brewer’s Grain, Rice Bran and Growth Performance.